Urinary cystatin C and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) as early biomarkers for renal disease in dogs with leishmaniosis.

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a disease caused by Leishmania infantum that can vary from a subclinical infection to a severe disease. Dogs affected with CanL present varying degrees of renal dysfunction. Unfortunately, traditional biomarkers such as urea and creatinine detect renal damage in advanced stages of the disease, so more accurate biomarkers are needed. Hence, we aimed to study how urinary cystatin C (CysC) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), behave in dogs with CanL at different stages of the disease. Eighty-six CanL infected dogs were classified according to LeishVet stages: LI (16 dogs), LIIa (12 dogs), LIIb (12 dogs), LIII (16 dogs) and LIV (30 dogs); as a control, 17 healthy dogs were studied. Blood samples were collected for complete haematological and biochemistry analysis including plasma cystatin C. Urine analysis included urine specific gravity (USG), urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPC), CysC and NAG expressed as a ratio with creatinine uCysCc (µg/g) and uNAGc (IU/g). The haematological, biochemical and urinary analysis coincided with the LeishVet guidelines. The statistical study of the uCysCc ratio and the uNAGc, showed significant increase when compared against control starting from group LI (p < 0.05). Interestingly, when the cut-off values were calculated using the ROC curve, uCysCc (258.85 µg/g) and uNAGc (2.25 IU/g) 75 % of the dogs included in LI groups surpassed the threshold. Hence our study indicates that uCysCc and uNAGc, could help to detect early renal damage in CanL affected dogs.

COVID-19 among workers of a comprehensive cancer centre between first and second epidemic waves (2020): a seroprevalence study in Catalonia, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with cancer are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 surveillance of workers in oncological centres is crucial to assess infection burden and prevent transmission. We estimate the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among healthcare workers (HCWs) of a comprehensive cancer centre in Catalonia, Spain, and analyse its association with sociodemographic characteristics, exposure factors and behaviours. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study (21 May 2020-26 June 2020). SETTING: A comprehensive cancer centre (Institut Català d'Oncologia) in Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All HCWs (N=1969) were invited to complete an online self-administered epidemiological survey and provide a blood sample for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence (%) and 95% CIs of seropositivity together with adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% CI were estimated. RESULTS: A total of 1266 HCWs filled the survey (participation rate: 64.0%) and 1238 underwent serological testing (97.8%). The median age was 43.7 years (p25-p75: 34.8-51.0 years), 76.0% were female, 52.0% were nursing or medical staff and 79.0% worked on-site during the pandemic period. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 8.9% (95% CI 7.44% to 10.63%), with no differences by age and sex. No significant differences in terms of seroprevalence were observed between onsite workers and teleworkers. Seropositivity was associated with living with a person with COVID-19 (aPR 3.86, 95% CI 2.49 to 5.98). Among on-site workers, seropositive participants were twofold more likely to be nursing or medical staff. Nursing and medical staff working in a COVID-19 area showed a higher seroprevalence than other staff (aPR 2.45, 95% CI 1.08 to 5.52). CONCLUSIONS: At the end of the first wave of the pandemic in Spain, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among Institut Català d'Oncologia HCW was lower than the reported in other Spanish hospitals. The main risk factors were sharing household with infected people and contact with COVID-19 patients and colleagues. Strengthening preventive measures and health education among HCW is fundamental.

NLRP3-Inflammasome Inhibition during Respiratory Virus Infection Abrogates Lung Immunopathology and Long-Term Airway Disease Development.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infects most infants by two years of age. It can cause severe disease leading to an increased risk of developing asthma later in life. Previously, our group has shown that RSV infection in mice and infants promotes IL-1ß production. Here, we characterized the role of NLRP3-Inflammasome activation during RSV infection in adult mice and neonates. We observed that the inhibition of NLRP3 activation using the small molecule inhibitor, MCC950, or in genetically modified NLRP3 knockout (Nlrp3-/-) mice during in vivo RSV infection led to decreased lung immunopathology along with a reduced expression of the mucus-associated genes and reduced production of innate cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-33 and CCL2) linked to severe RSV disease while leading to significant increases in IFN-ß. NLRP3-inflammasome inhibition or deletion diminished Th2 cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs. Furthermore, NLRP3 inhibition or deletion during early-life RSV infection led to reducing viral-exacerbated allergic response in a mouse model of RSV-induced allergy exacerbation. Here, we demonstrated the critical role of NLRP3-inflammasome activation in RSV immunopathology and the related long-term airway alteration. Moreover, these findings suggest the NLRP3-inflammasome as a potential therapeutic target to attenuate severe RSV disease and limit childhood asthma development.

Satisfacción de usuarios en servicios recreativos y deportivos en el contexto universitario / Satisfaction of users in recreational and sports services in the university context / Satisfação de usuarios em servicios recreativos e deportivos en el contexto universitário

Se aborda la prestación del servicio desde un enfoque basado en la calidad, con la finalidad de conocer el grado de satisfacción de usuarios en programas recreativos, deportivos y de formación continua en un centro de extensión universitario. En perspectiva cuantitativa, empleó un estudio no experimental descriptivo, de corte transversal, que diseñó, validó y aplicó un cuestionario identificando la dimensión profesor como la de mayor valoración, y la de costo del servicio, sin ser negativa, como la más baja. En prospectiva, genera rutas para la calidad del servicio como tendencia y preocupación actual en organizaciones e instituciones de educación superior. Permite continuar indagaciones desde la mejora continua, el cambio y la planificación estratégica desde dimensiones como: curso, profesor, instalaciones, inscripciones y matrículas, comunicación y costo. Brinda a directivos la posibilidad de reconocer sus habilidades en la toma de decisiones basada en evidencias científicas.

The provision of the service is approached from a quality-based approach, in order to know the degree of satisfaction of users in recreational, sports and continuing education programs in a university extension center. In quantitative perspective, it used a non-experimental, descriptive, cross-sectional study that designed, validated and applied a questionnaire identifying the teacher dimension as the highest value and the cost of service, without being negative, the lowest. In prospective, it generates routes for quality of service as a trend and current concern in higher education organizations and institutions. It allows to continue inquiries from continuous improvement, change and strategic planning from dimensions such as: course, teacher, facilities, registration, communication and cost. Provides managers with the possibility of recognizing their decision-making skills based on scientific evidence.

A prestação do serviço é abordada a partir de uma abordagem de qualidade, a fim de conhecer o grau de satisfação dos usuários em programas recreativos, esportivos e de educação continuada em um centro de extensão universitária. No ponto de vista quantitativo, é usado um descritivo, em corte transversal, que concebida, validado e aplicado um questionário identificando a dimensão professor quanto maior valorização e custo do serviço, sem ser negativo, o menor não experimental. Em perspectiva, gera rotas de qualidade de serviço como tendência e atual preocupação em organizações e instituições de ensino superior. Permite continuar as investigações de melhoria contínua, mudança e planejamento estratégico a partir de dimensões como: curso, professor, instalações, inscrição, comunicação e custo. Fornece aos gerentes a possibilidade de reconhecer suas habilidades de tomada de decisão com base em evidências científicas.

Effect of Yerbimat herbicide on lipid peroxidation, catalase activity, and histological damage in gills and liver of the freshwater fish Goodea atripinnis.

The use of herbicides for agricultural and aquatic weed control has increased worldwide. These substances are potentially toxic pollutants because they induce the production of reactive oxygen species for biological systems and exert oxidative stress in nontarget organisms living in the treated aquatic systems. Recent evidence suggests differences in the toxicity of glyphosate in the form of an active ingredient compared to the toxicity of glyphosate in combination with surfactants, such as those found in commercial formulations. In Mexico, one of the most widely used glyphosate-based herbicides is Yerbimat, which has agricultural as well as aquatic weed control applications. However, there are no aquatic toxicity data, particularly regarding native fish. Therefore, we determined the acute toxicity of commercial-formulation Yerbimat in a static bioassay at 96 h (LC(50)). We also determined its toxicity at 96 h in sublethal concentrations to assess the lipid peroxidation levels (LPX), catalase activity, hepatic glycogen content, and histological damage in the liver and gills of the fish Goodea atripinnis associated with chronic exposure (75 days). The LC(50) was 38.95 ± 0.33 mg/L. The results of the short-term exposure study indicate that Yerbimat can potentially induce oxidative stress in G. atripinnis, because LPX was increased in the gills and liver. Catalase activity was reduced in the gills but increased in the liver, whereas hepatic glycogen was depleted. Chronic exposure was associated with histopathological damage in the gills and liver, some of which was irreversible. Yerbimat represents a potential risk for aquatic biota; therefore, we recommend that its application be carefully considered.

Nursing education as an intervention to decrease fatigue perception in oncology patients.

People with cancer have identified fatigue as a major obstacle to normal functioning and a good quality of life. It is a nearly universal symptom for patients undergoing primary antineoplasic therapy or treatment with biologic response modifiers (BRM) and is extremely common in patients with persistent or advanced disease. The aim of the study was to determine whether nursing education decreased the perception of fatigue in patients with colon or gastric cancer. We compared the fatigue level between two groups of patients who received the same treatment and had the same type of cancer (experimental group and control group). We provided an individualised and structured nursing intervention with education to the experimental group. We followed up the fatigue level in both groups with three different measures on the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Fatigue (FACT-F) Scale. After the nursing intervention there was a decrease in the level of fatigue in the experimental group, whereas the group of patients that did not receive this intervention showed an increase in fatigue level along the treatment. The nursing intervention with the individualised education and counselling has provided patients with cancer with an effective tool to manage fatigue.